Component supply device, component supply management system, and component supply working support method

ABSTRACT

A component supply device including an accommodation body installation unit in which one or more accommodation bodies each accommodating components are installable, the component supply device sequentially operates the one or more accommodation bodies to supply each of the components to a predetermined component supply position. The component supply device comprises a supply state detector which detects a supply state of components in total accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodies installed on the accommodation body installation unit, a determination unit which determines, based on the supply state, a state of the accommodation body installation unit among (i) an installation disabled state, (ii) an installation enabled state, and (iii) an installation required state, and a notifier which notifies a worker of the state of the accommodation body installation unit determined by the determination unit.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a component supply device forsupplying a component from an accommodation body in which components areaccommodated, a component supply management system for managing thecomponent supply of the component supply device, and a component supplyworking support method for supporting component supply working using thecomponent supply device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a component mounter for mounting component on a board, a tape feederis frequently used as a component supply device for supplying component.The tape feeder has a configuration in which the carrier tape installed(inserted) from a tape installation port is fed at a pitch by a rotationoperation of a sprocket to supply a component accommodated in a carriertape to a predetermined component supply position. In the related art,in the tape feeder, in order to travel a following carrier tape(following tape) following a leading carrier tape (leading tape), it isnecessary to connect (splice) a leading portion of the following tape toa terminal end portion of the leading tape before the terminal endportion of the leading tape passes through the tape installation port ofthe tape feeder.

In recent years, an automatic loading type tape feeder that loadscarrier tapes and feeds at a pitch automatically has been developed inorder to alleviate the burden of replenishment work of carrier tapes bythe worker. In this automatic loading type tape feeder, if the followingtape is installed on the tape installation port before the terminal endportion of the leading tape passes the tape installation port, since thefollowing tape follows the terminal end portion of the leading tape sothat feeds at a pitch, splicing of a carrier tape as in the related artis unnecessary (for example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No.2017-103374). Therefore, an automatic loading type tape feeder is alsocalled a splicingless feeder.

However, in the splicingless feeder, since it is possible to install aplurality of carrier tapes at the same time, there was a problem that itis difficult to grasp the time when the following carrier tapes shouldbe installed from an outer appearance during the component supplyworking.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a componentsupply device, a component supply management system, and a componentsupply working support method capable of easily grasping the timing ofinstalling of a following carrier tape and improving a work efficiencyof component supply work.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a componentsupply device including an accommodation body installation unit in whichone or more accommodation bodies each accommodating components areinstallable, the component supply device sequentially operates the oneor more accommodation bodies to supply each of the components to apredetermined component supply position. The component supply devicecomprises a supply state detector which detects a supply state ofcomponents in total accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodiesinstalled on the accommodation body installation unit, a determinationunit which determines, based on the supply state, a state of theaccommodation body installation unit among (i) an installation disabledstate of being incapable of installing a following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installation enabledstate of being capable of installing the following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, and (iii) an installationrequired state of being necessary to install the following accommodationbody to the accommodation body installation unit, the followingaccommodation body being an accommodation body to be perform the supplyimmediately after the one or more accommodation bodies, and a notifierwhich notifies a worker of the state of the accommodation bodyinstallation unit determined by the determination unit.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a componentsupply management system which manages component supply of a componentsupply device including an accommodation body installation unit in whichone or more accommodation bodies each accommodating components areinstallable, the component supply device sequentially operates the oneor more accommodation bodies to supply each of the components to apredetermined component supply position. The component supply managementsystem comprises a supply state detector which detects a supply state ofcomponents in total accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodiesinstalled on the accommodation body installation unit, a determinationunit which determines, based on the supply stat, a state of theaccommodation body installation unit among (i) an installation disabledstate of being incapable of installing the following accommodation bodyto the accommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installationenabled state of being capable of installing the following accommodationbody to the accommodation body installation unit, and (iii) aninstallation required state of being necessary to install the followingaccommodation body to the accommodation body installation unit, thefollowing accommodation body being an accommodation body to be performthe supply immediately after the one or more accommodation bodies, and anotifier which notifies a worker of the state of the accommodation bodyinstallation unit determined by the determination unit.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a componentsupply working support method for supporting a component supply workingusing a component supply device including an accommodation bodyinstallation unit in which one or more accommodation bodies eachaccommodating components are installable, the component supply devicesequentially operates the one or more accommodation bodies to supplyeach of the components to a predetermined component supply position.Then, the component supply working support method comprises a supplystate detecting step of detecting a supply state of the component intotal accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodies installed onthe accommodation body installation unit, a determining step ofdetermining, based on the supply state, a state of the accommodationbody installation unit among (i) an installation disabled state of beingincapable of installing the following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installation enabled stateof being capable of installing a following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, and (iii) an installation requiredstate of being necessary to install the following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, the following accommodationbody being an accommodation body to be perform the supply immediatelyafter the one or more accommodation bodies, and an notifying step ofnotifying a worker of the state of the accommodation body installationunit determined in the determining step.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily grasp thetiming of installation of the following carrier tape, and it is possibleto improve the working efficiency of the component supply working.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a main portion of a component mounter accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape feeder in which a componentmounter is included according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of component supply workingsupport control executed by a component supply management systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates componentmounter 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Component mounter 1 operates to mount component PT on boardKB carried in from the upstream side and carry board KB out to thedownstream side. In this exemplary embodiment, a left and rightdirection (direction orthogonal to paper surface of FIG. 1) viewed fromworker OP is taken as an X-axis direction and a front and rear directionviewed from worker OP (left-right direction of page surface of FIG. 1)is taken as a Y-axis direction. In addition, an up and down direction(up and down direction of page of FIG. 1) is a Z-axis direction.

In FIG. 1, component mounter 1 includes base 11, board transporter 12, aplurality of tape feeders 13, installation head 14, and head movingmechanism 15. Board transporter 12 is configured with a pair of conveyormechanisms 12 a and transports board KB in the X-axis direction toposition board KB at a predetermined work position. The plurality oftape feeders 13 are attached side by side in the X-axis direction tofeeder base 17 (see also FIG. 2) as a portion of carriage 16 connectedto base 11. Reel 19 on which carrier tape 18 accommodating component PTis wound is held on carriage 16. Each tape feeder 13 feeds carrier tape18 pulled out from reel 19 at a pitch to supply component PT tocomponent supply port 13K, as a supply position of component PT.

In FIG. 1, installation head 14 includes a plurality of nozzles 14Nextending downward. Each of nozzles 14N can move up and down and rotatearound the Z axis, and a vacuum suction force for sucking component PTcan be generated at the lower end of each nozzle 14N. Head movingmechanism 15 moves installation head 14 in the horizontal planedirection.

Installation head 14 sucks component PT to be supplied to componentsupply port 13K by tape feeder 13 by nozzle 14N and mounts component PTon board KB.

In component mounter 1 having such a configuration, as illustrated inFIG. 2, tape feeder 13 has main body portion 31 detachably attached tofeeder base 17. Tape installation unit 32 for installing carrier tape 18is provided on the rear portion (side of worker OP) of main body portion31. Tape installation unit 32 has two upper and lower tape installationports (lower stage side installation port 32A and upper stage sideinstallation port 32B).

In a case where lower stage side installation port 32A is a place wherecarrier tape 18 is installed (inserted) in preference to upper stageside installation port 32B and carrier tape 18 is not installed on tapefeeder 13, carrier tape 18 is installed on the lower stage sideinstallation port 32A. Upper stage side installation port 32B is a placewhere following (replenishment) carrier tape 18 is installed (inserted)and is used when carrier tape 18 is already attached to lower stage sideinstallation port 32A. In other words, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a plurality of carrier tapes 18 can be installed on tapeinstallation unit 32 at the same time.

In FIG. 2, in main body portion 31, tape path 33, which is a travelingpath of carrier tape 18, is formed to extend forward from the rear ofmain body portion 31. Main sprocket 34 that feeds carrier tape 18 intape path 33 forward at a pitch is provided in a portion of a front endside of main body portion 31, and a sub sprocket 35 is provided in arear position adjacent to main sprocket 34. Further, feed sprocket 36 isprovided in the rear end side portion of main body portion 31. Therotation of main sprocket 34, sub sprocket 35, and feed sprocket 36 iscontrolled by feeder controller 37 provided in main body portion 31.

Feed sprocket 36 is engaged with carrier tape 18 inserted into tape path33 from lower stage side installation port 32A and rotates to feedcarrier tape 18 forward. Secondary sprocket 35 engages with carrier tape18 forwardly fed by feed sprocket 36 and rotates to deliver carrier tape18 to main sprocket 34. Main sprocket 34 engages with carrier tape 18received from sub sprocket 35 and rotates at a pitch to feed carriertape 18 at a pitch toward component supply port 13K. After the leadingportion of carrier tape 18 reaches main sprocket 34 and main sprocket 34starts feeding of carrier tape 18 at a pitch, sub sprocket 35 and feedsprocket 36 do not feed carrier tape 18, and conversely is in a freerotation state where it is driven and rotated by carrier tape 18.

As described above, in a case where tape feeder 13 in the presentexemplary embodiment is a so-called automatic loading type tape feeder(splicingless feeder), following carrier tape 18 (referred to asfollowing tape 18B) is transported following carrier tape 18 (referredto as leading carrier tape 18A) which precedes and feeds at a pitch,following tape 18B may be installed on tape installation unit 32.Therefore, it is unnecessary to connect the leading portion of followingtape 18B to the terminal end portion of leading tape 18A with a tapemember.

In main body portion 31 of tape feeder 13, a plurality of sensors (notillustrated) and tape position measurer 41 are provided. A plurality ofsensors (not illustrated) detects the path of the leading portion, theterminal end portion, or the like of carrier tape 18 traveling in tapepath 33, and transmits the detected passing information to feedercontroller 37 (FIG. 2). Then, tape position measurer 41 measures thepresence or absence (position) of carrier tape 18 from the transmittedpath information.

A procedure of installing new following tape 18B to tape installationunit 32 on tape feeder 13 to which leading tape 18A is attached will bedescribed. In a case where the terminal end portion of leading tape 18Ahas not yet reached lower stage side installation port 32A (lower stageside installation port 32A is not empty), following tape 18B is attachedto upper stage side installation port 32B. The leading portion offollowing tape 18B installed on upper stage side installation port 32Bpasses through the upper area of leading tape 18A and waits at the pointof engagement with feed sprocket 36. Then, when the terminal end portionof traveling leading tape 18A passes (overtakes) through the leadingportion of waiting following tape 18B and is measured by the sensor(tape position measurer 41) located near the middle of tape path 33,feed sprocket 36 is rotated and driven by feeder controller 37. As feedsprocket 36 rotates and drives, following tape 18B travels in tape path33 so as to follow leading tape 18A, and is delivered to main sprocket34 to be sent. Accordingly, following tape 18B is switched to leadingtape 18A.

Next, the procedure for newly installing following tape 18B to tapeinstallation unit 32 after following tape 18B is switched to leadingtape 18A will be described. Leading tape 18A switched from followingtape 18B is installed on upper stage side installation port 32B.Therefore, worker OP replaces leading tape 18A with the lower stage sideinstallation port 32A and empties the upper stage side installation port32B. Then, worker OP installs following tape 18B on emptied upper stageattachment port 32B. Following tape 18B installed on upper stage sideinstallation port 32B is pushed by worker OP so as to advance throughtape path 33 as it is, and the leading portion thereof is engaged withfeed sprocket 36. Thereafter, when the terminal end portion of leadingtape 18A passes through (overtakes) the leading portion of followingtape 18B and is measured by the sensor (tape position measurer 41) nearthe middle of tape path 33, feed sprocket 36 starts rotating. As aresult, following tape 18B travels in tape path 33 so as to followleading tape 18A, is delivered to main sprocket 34 to be sent.

Tape feeder 13 feeds carrier tape 18 sent at a pitch in the mannerdescribed above by the rotation operation of main sprocket 34, andsupplies component PT accommodated in carrier tape 18 to componentsupply port 13K. As described above, in the present exemplaryembodiment, tape feeder 13 provide tape installation unit 32(accommodation body installation unit) capable of simultaneouslyinstalling a plurality of carrier tapes 18 (accommodation bodies)accommodating component PT. Then, tape feeder 13 is component supplydevice that operates so that component PT is supplied from one of one ormore carrier tapes 18 installed on tape installation unit 32 to apredetermined component supply position (component supply port 13K).

Here, the installation port for installing carrier tape 18 to tapeinstallation unit 32 are two of lower stage side installation port 32Aand upper stage side installation port 32B, but it is also possible toprovide three or more installation ports. In this case, carrier tape 18is installed (inserted) in preference to the upper installation portwith the lower attachment port. Even with tape feeder 13 configured asdescribed above, the tape feeder can have a configuration operating sothat component PT is supplied from one of one or more carrier tapes 18installed on tape installation unit 32 to a predetermined componentsupply position (component supply port 13K).

In main body portion 31 of tape feeder 13, installation number measurer42 is provided. Installation number measurer 42 counts the number ofcarrier tapes 18 installed on tape installation unit 32 and transmitsthe measured information thereof to feeder controller 37 (FIG. 2).Therefore, feeder controller 37 can grasp how many carrier tapes 18 areinserted into tape installation unit 32, that is, whether or not tapeinstallation unit 32 is in a state where carrier tape 18 can beinstalled (inserted).

In addition, in main body portion 31 of tape feeder 13, remaining amountmeasurer 43 is also provided. Remaining amount measurer 43 counts thesuppliable remaining amount of component PT by carrier tape 18 travelingin tape path 33, that is, carrier tape 18 (hereinafter, referred to ascomponent supply tape. Leading tape 18A corresponds to component supplytape in relation to following tape 18B) which supplies component PT atpresent, and transmits the measured information to feeder controller 37(FIG. 2). Here, “suppliable remaining amount of component PT bycomponent supply tape” may be regarded as the remaining number ofcomponent PT of the component supply tape itself, or may be regarded asa length from the terminal end portion of the component supply tape tolower stage side installation port 32A.

Remaining amount measurer 43 counts the remaining number of component PTof the component supply tape, the position of the boundary between thearea where components PT are accommodated and the area where componentsPT are not accommodated in the component supply tape, or the suppliableremaining amount of component PT by the component supply tape bymeasuring at least one of the remaining length of the component supplytape. Detection of the suppliable remaining amount of each detectiontarget will be described below.

In a case where remaining amount measurer 43 is a device (remainingnumber measurer) for counting the remaining number of component PT ofthe component supply tape, the suppliable remaining amount is measuredas follows. First, remaining amount measurer 43 calculates the remainingnumber of components PT accommodated in the component supply tape, basedon the data of component number read at the time when component PT atthe leading of the component supply tape arrives at component supplyport 13K and the number of pitch feeds after component PT at the leadingof the component supply tape reaches component supply port 13K. Then,based on the calculated remaining number of component PT, remainingamount measurer 43 obtains the suppliable remaining amount of componentPT by the component supply tape.

In a case where remaining amount measurer 43 measures the position ofthe boundary between the area where components PT are accommodated andthe area where component PT is not accommodated on the component supplytape, remaining amount measurer 43 determines the suppliable remainingamount as described below. First, remaining amount measurer 43 checksthe presence or absence of component PT accommodated in carrier tape 18(leading tape 18A). Specifically, remaining amount measurer 43 graspsthe position of the boundary as the periodicity of the presence orabsence of component PT changes. Remaining amount measurer 43 isprovided, for example, in the vicinity of lower stage side installationport 32A and is configured with a light sensor having a light projectingunit and a light receiving unit. Then, based on the position of thegrasped boundary and the length to the terminal end portion of carriertape 18, the remaining amount measurer obtains the suppliable remainingamount of component PT by the component supply tape.

In a case where remaining amount measurer 43 is to detect the remaininglength of the component supply tape, the suppliable remaining amount ismeasured as described below. First, remaining amount measurer 43measures the remaining length of the component supply tape from theposition of carrier tape 18 (that is, component supply tape) in tapepath 33 measured by tape position measurer 41 and the length of carriertape 18 stored in advance. Then, based on measured remaining length ofcomponent PT supply tape, remaining amount measurer 43 obtains thesuppliable remaining amount of component PT by the component supplytape.

By combining information on the installing state of carrier tape 18 intape installation unit 32 obtained by installation number measurer 42and information on the suppliable remaining amount of component PT bythe component supply tape which is carrier tape 18 which is currentlysupplying component PT and it is possible to detect the supply state ofcomponent PT on total at least one carrier tape 18 installed on tapeinstallation unit 32 of tape feeder 13. Therefore, in the presentexemplary embodiment, installation number measurer 42 and remainingamount measurer 43 of tape feeder 13 serve the supply state detectorwhich detects the supply state of component PT on total at least onecarrier tape 18 installed on tape installation unit 32 of tape feeder13.

In FIG. 1, control device 50 of component mounter 1 controls thetransportation of board KB by board transporter 12. In addition, controldevice 50 controls the movement of installation head 14 by head movingmechanism 15. In addition, control device 50 controls the operation ofnozzle 14N by installation head 14 and the suction by nozzle 14N. Feedercontroller 37 of each tape feeder 13 attached to feeder base 17 isconnected to control device 50. The position information of thecomponent supply tape in tape feeder 13 obtained by feeder controller 37of each tape feeder 13, the information on the number of carrier tapes18 installed on tape installation unit 32, suppliable remaining amountinformation of component PT by the component supply tape, and the likeare transferred to control device 50.

Touch panel 51 is connected to control device 50, and worker OP can makenecessary inputs to control device 50 through touch panel 51. Inaddition, control device 50 gives various instructions to worker OPthrough touch panel 51 and also notifies the information. Touch panel 51need not be provided in component mounter 1 and may be, for example, amobile terminal, or the like possessed by worker OP.

In FIG. 1, control device 50 of component mounter 1 includesdetermination unit 50 a and notification controller 50 b. Based on theinformation detected by the supply state detector (installation numbermeasurer 42 and remaining amount measurer 43) of each tape feeder 13,determination unit 50 a determines that tape installation unit 32 ofeach tape feeder 13 is in any state of “installation disabled state”,“installation enabled state”, and “installation required state”.Notification controller 50 b causes touch panel 51 to display the result(state of tape installation unit 32) determined by determination unit 50a and notifies worker OP of the content thereof.

Here, “installation disabled state” means a state where following tape18B cannot be attached to tape installation unit 32, and the“installation enabled state” means a state where following tape 18B canbe attached to tape installation unit 32. In addition, the “installationrequired state” means a state where tape installation unit 32 needs tobe installed on following tape 18B.

In component mounter 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment,the system including tape feeder 13 including the supply state detector,determination unit 50 a of control device 50, the both function units ofthe notification controller 50 b, and touch panel 51 constitutes acomponent supply management system that manages the component supply oftape feeder 13 as a component supply unit. In this case, thenotification controller 50 b and touch panel 51 function as a notifierthat notifies worker OP of the state of tape installation unit 32determined by determination unit 50 a.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 illustrates the procedure (componentsupply working support method) of the component supply working supportcontrol executed by the component supply management system. Here, thecomponent supply working support control means support control forenabling worker OP to easily grasp the timing of installation offollowing tape 18B with respect to tape feeder 13. The flowchartillustrated here illustrates a flow of procedures for any one of aplurality of tape feeders 13 attached to the feeder base 17, but it isbased on the premise that it is a state where the target tape feeder 13transports the component supply tape and the supply of component PT isin progress.

In the component supply working support control performed by thecomponent supply management system, the number of carrier tapes 18installed on tape installation unit 32 is first counted by installationnumber measurer 42 of target tape feeder 13 (installation numbermeasuring step in step ST1 in FIG. 3). The number of carrier tapes 18installed on tape installation unit 32 is measured based on the numberof pieces of information on carrier tape 18 stored in component mounter1 or tape feeder 13. Information on carrier tape 18 is of the ID codeaffixed to the surface of reel 19. The ID code is recognized by thescanner when worker OP attaches reel 19 to tape feeder 13. Then, therecognized ID code is stored in component mounter 1 or tape feeder 13 asinformation of carrier tape 18. In addition to the information oncarrier tape 18, an optical sensor or the like having a light protrudingportion and a light receiving portion may be provided on tapeinstallation unit 32 to physically detect the number of carrier tapes18.

In addition, remaining amount measurer 43 of tape feeder 13 counts thesuppliable remaining amount of component PT by the component supply tape(remaining amount measuring step of step ST2). In the component supplyworking support control according to the present exemplary embodiment,the installation number measuring step in step ST1 and the remainingamount measuring step in step ST2 are supply state measuring stepsmeasuring the supply state of component PT in at least one carrier tape18 installed on tape installation unit 32 as an accommodation bodyinstallation unit.

When the number of carrier tapes 18 installed on tape installation unit32 and the suppliable remaining amount of component PT by the componentsupply tape are measured, determination unit 50 a determines whetherthere is space that can install (insert) carrier tape 18 on tapeinstallation unit 32 (step ST3). The determination unit 50 a makes thisdetermination based on detection information from installation numbermeasurer 42 sent from feeder controller 37 of target tape feeder 13.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the maximum number of carrier tapes18 that can be inserted into tape installation unit 32 is two, and one(lower stage side installation port 32A) of carrier tapes 18 is occupiedby the component supply tape. Therefore, if the number of carrier tapes18 installed on tape installation unit 32 is one, determination unit 50a determines that “there is vacancy” and if the number of carrier tapes18 installed on tape installation unit 32 is two (that is, if number ofcarrier tapes 18 counted by installation number measurer 42 is the sameas the number of carrier tapes 18 that can be installed on tapeinstallation unit 32), determination unit 50 a determines that “there isno vacancy”.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case wherethe number of carrier tapes 18 counted by installation number measurer42 is the same as the number of carrier tapes 18 that is installed ontape installation unit 32, determination unit 50 a determines that tapeinstallation unit 32 is in the attachment disabled state.

In step ST3, in a case where determination unit 50 a determines that“there is no vacancy”, notification controller 50 b notifies worker OPof the fact that carrier tape 18 cannot be attached to tape installationunit 32 (step ST4). This notification is performed by notificationcontroller 50 b causing touch panel 51 to display the above content onthe screen.

In a case where determination unit 50 a determines in step ST3 that“there is vacancy”, further, determination unit 50 a determines whetherthere is one carrier tape 18 installed on tape installation unit 32(step ST5). The determination unit 50 a makes this determination basedon detection information from installation number measurer 42 sent fromfeeder controller 37 of target tape feeder 13.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the maximum number of carrier tapes18 that can be inserted into tape installation unit 32 is two, and one(lower stage side installation port 32A) of carrier tapes 18 is occupiedby the component supply tape. Therefore, if the number of carrier tapes18 installed on tape installation unit 32 is one, determination unit 50a determines that “there is only one carrier tape 18 installed” and ifthe number of carrier tapes 18 installed on tape installation unit 32 istwo, determination unit 50 a determines that “there is no one carriertape 18 attached”.

In step ST5, in a case where determination unit 50 a determines that“the number of carrier tapes 18 installed is one”, furthermore,determination unit 50 a determines whether the suppliable remainingamount of component PT by the component supply tape is equal to or lessthan the predetermined amount (step ST6). Determination unit 50 aperforms this determination based on the detection information fromremaining amount measurer 43.

Here, the “predetermined amount” refers to the minimum remaining amountthat can secure the time required for worker OP to perform the work ofinstalling following tape 18B to upper stage side installation port 32B,among the suppliable remaining amount of component PT by the componentsupply tape. This minimum remaining amount can be calculated from thetime required for the above working and the supply speed (feed speed ofcarrier tape 18 at a pitch in this case) of component PT by tape feeder13.

In step ST6, in a case where determination unit 50 a determines that thesuppliable remaining amount of component PT by the component supply tapeis not equal to or less than the predetermined amount, notificationcontroller 50 b notifies worker OP of the fact that there is no urgencyin installation of following tape 18B and carrier tape 18 can beinstalled on tape installation unit 32 (step ST7). This notification isperformed by notification controller 50 b controlling touch panel 51 andcausing touch panel 51 to display the notification content on thescreen.

On the other hand, in step ST6, in a case where determination unit 50 adetermines that the suppliable remaining amount of component PT by thecomponent supply tape is equal to or less than the predetermined amount,notification controller 50 b notifies worker OP of the fact that thereis urgency in installation of following tape 18B and it is necessary toinstall carrier tape 18 on tape installation unit 32 (step ST8). Thisnotification is performed by notification controller 50 b controllingtouch panel 51 and causing touch panel 51 to display the notificationcontent on the screen.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case wherethe number of carrier tapes 18 counted by installation number measurer42 is one and the suppliable remaining amount of component PT by thecomponent supply tape counted by remaining amount measurer 43 is equalto or less than the predetermined amount, the determination unit 50 adetermines tape installation unit 32 is in the installation requiredstate.

In the present exemplary embodiment, since there are two installationports to which carrier tape 18 can be installed on tape installationunit 32, it cannot be determined that “there is not one carrier tape 18installed” in step ST5 after determining that “there is vacancy” in stepST3. However, in a case where there are three or more installation portsto which carrier tape 18 can be installed in tape installation unit 32,it can be determined in step ST5 that “there is not one carrier tape 18attached (that is, the number of carrier tapes 18 which is installed ontape installation unit 32 being made is two or more)”. In this case,since carrier tape 18 can be in a state of being installed on tapeinstallation unit 32 and there is no urgency in installation of carriertape 18, notification controller 50 b notifies worker OP of the factthat the notification of step ST7 (notification of fact that carriertape 18 can be installed) to tape installation unit 32 is performed.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case wherethe number of carrier tapes 18 counted by installation number measurer42 is less than the number of carrier tapes 18 that can be installed ontape installation unit 32, and the suppliable remaining amount ofcomponent PT by the component supply tape counted by remaining amountmeasurer 43 is equal to or more than the predetermined amount or in acase where the number of carrier tape 18 counted by installation numbermeasurer 42 is less than the number of carrier tapes 18 that can beinstalled to tape installation unit 32 and the number of carrier tapes18 counted by installation number measurer 42 is two or more, thedetermination unit 50 a determines that tape installation unit 32 is inan installation enabled state.

In the component supply working support control according to the presentexemplary embodiment, step ST3, step ST5 and step ST6 are determiningsteps of determining whether tape installation unit 32 is in any of theinstallation disabled state where following tape 18B cannot beinstalled, the installation enabled state where following tape 18B canbe installed, and the installation required state, where it is necessaryto mount following tape 18B based on the supply state of the componentin at least one carrier tape 18, installed on tape installation unit 32detected in the supply state detecting step described above. Inaddition, step ST4, step ST7 and step ST8 are notifying steps fornotifying worker OP of the state of tape installation unit 32 determinedin the determining step.

As described above, in the component supply management system accordingto the present exemplary embodiment, the supply state of component PT inat least one carrier tape 18 installed to tape installation unit 32 oftape feeder 13 is first detected (step ST1 and step ST2). Next, it isdetermined whether tape installation unit 32 is in any of the“installation disabled state”, the “installation enabled state” or the“installing required state” (step ST3, step ST5 and step ST6). Then, theresult of the state of tape installation unit 32 is notified to workerOP (step ST4, step ST7 and step ST8). Therefore, worker OP can easilygrasp the timing of installation of following tape 18B. Therefore,mistakes can be prevented in advance that worker OP installs carriertape 18 although being not capable of installing carrier tape 18,quickly installs carrier tape 18 although the installation of carriertape 18 is not urgent, and does not notice the fact that theinstallation of carrier tape 18 is urgent and cause supply of componentPT to be stagnant. Therefore, according to the component supplymanagement system in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible toremarkably improve the work efficiency of the component supply workingusing tape feeder 13 as the component supply device.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, both functional units ofdetermination unit 50 a and notification controller 50 b belong tocontrol device 50, but these functional units may belong to feedercontroller 37 of each tape feeder 13, furthermore, if the notificationoperation performed by touch panel 51 is performed by a lamp (at leastthree colors can be selectively displayed) provided in each tape feeder13 or the like, each tape feeder 13 can have the function of the systemequivalent to the component supply management system. In this case,notification controller 50 b and the lamp function as a notifier.According to tape feeder 13 having such a configuration, since it ispossible to execute the same component supply working method as thecomponent supply management system described above, it is possible toobtain the same effect as the component supply management systemdescribed above.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed so far, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplaryembodiments described above. For example, as tape feeder 13, the presentdisclosure can also be applied to a tape feeder in which a plurality ofcarrier tapes 18 can be installed on one tape installation port ratherthan a form in which carrier tape 18 is installed on each tapeinstallation port of tape installation unit 32. In this case, it isnecessary to determine that “it is not one carrier tape 18 attached” instep ST5 after determining “there is vacancy” in step ST3.

In addition, carrier tape 18 in the exemplary embodiment described aboveis one example of the accommodation body that accommodates component PT.Tape feeder 13 includes an accommodation body installation unit (tapeinstallation unit 32) capable of simultaneously installing a pluralityof accommodation bodies, and is as an example of a component supplydevice which operates so as to supply component PT from at least one ofthe accommodation unit installed on the accommodation body installationunit to the predetermined component supply position (component supplyport 13K) and performs a component supply working. Therefore, acomponent feeding device (for example, a stick feeder) having the sameconfiguration as tape feeder 13 can be used instead of tape feeder 13.

In a case where the component supply device is a stick feeder, a stickcase accommodating a plurality of component PT arranged side by sidecorresponds to an accommodation body. The stick feeder includes a stickcase installation unit as an accommodation body installation unitcapable of simultaneously installing a plurality of accommodation bodies(stick cases) in a stacked state. Then, the operation is performed suchthat the component is supplied to a predetermined component supplyposition from one of one or more sticks case installed on a steppedstate in the stick case installation unit.

In the stick feeder, the lowermost stick case among the plurality ofstick cases stacked in the stick case installation unit serves as acomponent supply accommodation body and supplies the component. Then,when component PT in the component supply stick case, as a componentsupply accommodation body, becomes empty, the stick case thereof isdischarged and total the stick case for replenishment which has beenstacked down comes down by gravity, and the stick case positioned at themost lower stage becomes the next component supply accommodation body.

In this way, the stick feeder includes an accommodation bodyinstallation unit (stick case installation unit) capable ofsimultaneously installing a plurality of accommodation bodies (stickcases) accommodating component PT. Since it is a component supply deviceconfigured to operate so that components are supplied from one of one ormore accommodation bodies installed on the accommodation bodyinstallation unit to a predetermined component supply position, it ispossible to configure the same component supply management system as ina case of the exemplary embodiment described above, and therefore it ispossible to obtain the same effect as described in the exemplaryembodiment described above. In a case where the component supply deviceis a stick feeder, the suppliable remaining amount of component PT bythe component supply stick case can be regarded as the remaining numberof component PT in the component supply stick case itself, and can beregarded as the length of total the plurality of component PT arrangedside by side in the component supply stick.

A component supply device, a component supply management system, and acomponent supply working support method are provided which can easilygrasp the timing of installing of a following carrier tape and improvework efficiency of component supply work.

What is claimed is:
 1. A component supply device including anaccommodation body installation unit in which one or more accommodationbodies each accommodating components are installable, the componentsupply device sequentially operates the one or more accommodation bodiesto supply each of the components to a predetermined component supplyposition, the component supply device comprising: a supply statedetector which detects a supply state of the components in totalaccommodated in the one or more accommodation bodies installed on theaccommodation body installation unit; a determination unit whichdetermines, based on the supply state, a state of the accommodation bodyinstallation unit among (i) an installation disabled state of beingincapable of installing a following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installation enabled stateof being capable of installing the following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, and (iii) an installation requiredstate of being necessary to install the following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, the following accommodationbody being an accommodation body to be perform the supply immediatelyafter the one or more accommodation bodies; and a notifier whichnotifies a worker of the state of the accommodation body installationunit determined by the determination unit.
 2. The component supplydevice of claim 1, wherein the supply state detector includes aninstallation number measurer which counts the number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies installed on the accommodation body installationunit, and a remaining amount measurer which counts a suppliableremaining amount of the components accommodated in a component supplyaccommodation body that is an accommodation body currently performingthe supply among the one or more accommodation bodies, and wherein thedetermination unit determines the state of the accommodation bodyinstallation unit among the installation disabled state, theinstallation enabled state, and the installation required state based onthe number of the one or more accommodation bodies counted by theinstallation number measurer and the suppliable remaining amount of thecomponents counted by the remaining amount measurer.
 3. The componentsupply device of claim 2, wherein, when a number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies counted by the installation number measurer is lessthan a number of accommodation bodies installable on the accommodationbody installation unit and the suppliable remaining amount of thecomponents counted by the remaining amount measurer is equal to or morethan a predetermined amount, or when the number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies counted by the installation number measurer is lessthan the number installable on the accommodation body installation unitand two or more, the determination unit determines that theaccommodation body installation unit is in the installation enabledstate.
 4. The component supply device of claim 2, wherein, when thenumber of the one or more accommodation bodies counted by theinstallation number measurer is a number of accommodation bodiesinstallable on the accommodation body installation unit, thedetermination unit determines that the accommodation body installationunit is in the installation disabled state.
 5. The component supplydevice of claim 2, wherein, when the number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies counted by the installation number measurer is oneand the suppliable remaining amount of the components counted by theremaining amount measurer is equal to or less than a predeterminedamount, the determination unit determines that the accommodation bodyinstallation unit is in the installation required state.
 6. Thecomponent supply device of claim 2, wherein each of the one or moreaccommodation bodies and the following accommodation body is a carriertape which is inserted into and installed on the accommodation bodyinstallation unit and supplies each of the components to thepredetermined component supply position by feeding the components at apitch by a rotation operation of a sprocket, and wherein the remainingamount measurer counts the suppliable remaining amount of thecomponents, based on at least one of (i) a remaining number of thecomponents of the component supply accommodation body, (ii) a positionof a boundary between an area in which the components are accommodatedand an area in which the components are not accommodated in thecomponent supply accommodation body, and (iii) a remaining length of thecomponent supply accommodation body.
 7. A component supply managementsystem which manages component supply of a component supply deviceincluding an accommodation body installation unit in which one or moreaccommodation bodies each accommodating components are installable, thecomponent supply device sequentially operates the one or moreaccommodation bodies to supply each of the components to a predeterminedcomponent supply position, the component supply management systemcomprising: a supply state detector which detects a supply state of thecomponents in total accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodiesinstalled on the accommodation body installation unit; a determinationunit which determines, based on the supply state, a state of theaccommodation body installation unit among (i) an installation disabledstate of being incapable of installing a following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installation enabledstate of being capable of installing the following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, and (iii) an installationrequired state of being necessary to install the following accommodationbody to the accommodation body installation unit, the followingaccommodation body being an accommodation body to be perform the supplyimmediately after the one or more accommodation bodies; and a notifierwhich notifies a worker of the state of the accommodation bodyinstallation unit determined by the determination unit.
 8. The componentsupply management system of claim 7, wherein the supply state detectorincludes an installation number measurer which counts the number of theone or more accommodation bodies installed on the accommodation bodyinstallation unit, and a remaining amount measurer which counts asuppliable remaining amount of the components accommodated in acomponent supply accommodation body that is an accommodation bodycurrently performing the supply among the one or more accommodationbodies, and wherein the determination unit determines the state of theaccommodation body installation unit among the installation disabledstate, the installation enabled state, and the installation requiredstate based on the number of the one or more accommodation bodiescounted by the installation number measurer and the suppliable remainingamount of the components counted by the remaining amount measurer. 9.The component supply management system of claim 8, wherein, when anumber of the one or more accommodation bodies counted by theinstallation number measurer is less than a number of accommodationbodies installable on the accommodation body installation unit and thesuppliable remaining amount of the components counted by the remainingamount measurer is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, or whenthe number of the one or more accommodation bodies counted by theinstallation number measurer is less than the number installable on theaccommodation body installation unit and two or more, the determinationunit determines that the accommodation body installation unit is in theinstallation enabled state.
 10. The component supply management systemof claim 8, wherein, when the number of the one or more accommodationbodies counted by the installation number measurer is a number ofaccommodation bodies installable on the accommodation body installationunit, the determination unit determines that the accommodation bodyinstallation unit is in the installation disabled state.
 11. Thecomponent supply management system of claim 8, wherein, when the numberof the one or more accommodation bodies counted by the installationnumber measurer is one and the suppliable remaining amount of thecomponents counted by the remaining amount measurer is equal to or lessthan a predetermined amount, the determination unit determines that theaccommodation body installation unit is in the installation requiredstate.
 12. The component supply management system of claim 8, whereineach of the one or more accommodation bodies and the followingaccommodation body is a carrier tape which is inserted into andinstalled on the accommodation body installation unit and supplies eachof the components to the predetermined component supply position byfeeding the components at a pitch by a rotation operation of a sprocket,and wherein the remaining amount measurer counts the suppliableremaining amount of the components, based on at least one of (i) aremaining number of the components of the component supply accommodationbody, (ii) a position of a boundary between an area in which thecomponents are accommodated and an area in which the components are notaccommodated in the component supply accommodation body, and (iii) aremaining length of the component supply accommodation body.
 13. Acomponent supply working support method for supporting a componentsupply working using a component supply device including anaccommodation body installation unit in which one or more accommodationbodies each accommodating components are installable, the componentsupply device sequentially operates the one or more accommodation bodiesto supply each of the components to a predetermined component supplyposition, the component supply working support method comprising: asupply state detecting step of detecting a supply state of the componentin total accommodated in the one or more accommodation bodies installedon the accommodation body installation unit; a determining step ofdetermining, based on the supply state, a state of the accommodationbody installation unit among (i) an installation disabled state of beingincapable of installing a following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, (ii) an installation enabled stateof being capable of installing the following accommodation body to theaccommodation body installation unit, and (iii) an installation requiredstate of being necessary to install the following accommodation body tothe accommodation body installation unit, the following accommodationbody being an accommodation body to be perform the supply immediatelyafter the one or more accommodation bodies; and a notifying step ofnotifying a worker of the state of the accommodation body installationunit determined in the determining step.
 14. The component supplyworking support method of claim 13, wherein the component supplyingstate detecting step includes an installation number measuring step ofcounting the number of the one or more accommodation bodies installed onthe accommodation body installation unit, and a remaining amountmeasuring step of counting a suppliable remaining amount of thecomponents accommodated in a component supply accommodation body that isan accommodation body currently performing the supply among the one ormore accommodation bodies, and wherein in the determining step, thestate of the accommodation body installation unit among the installationdisabled state, the installation enabled state, and the installationrequired state is determined based on the number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies measured in the installation number measuring stepand the suppliable remaining amount of the components measured in theremaining amount measuring step.
 15. The component supply workingsupport method of claim 14, wherein, when a number of the one ore moreaccommodation bodies measured by the installation number measuring stepis less than a number of accommodation bodies installable on theaccommodation body installation unit and the suppliable remaining amountof the components measured in the remaining amount measuring step isequal to or more than a predetermined amount, or when the number of theone or more accommodation bodies measured in the installation numbermeasuring step is less than the number installable on the accommodationbody installation unit and two or more, in the determining step, it isdetermined that the accommodation body installation unit is in theinstallation enabled state.
 16. The component supply working supportmethod of claim 14, wherein, when the number of the one or moreaccommodation bodies measured in the installation number measuring stepis a number of accommodation bodies installable on the accommodationbody installation unit, in the determining step, it is determined thatthe accommodation body installation unit is in the installation disabledstate.
 17. The component supply working support method of claim 14,wherein, when the number of the one or more accommodation bodiesmeasured in the installation number measuring step is one and thesuppliable remaining amount of the components measured in the remainingamount measuring step is equal to or less than a predetermined amount,in the determining step, it is determined that the accommodation bodyinstallation unit is in the installation required state.
 18. Thecomponent supply working support method of claim 14, wherein each of theone or more accommodation bodies and following accommodation body is acarrier tape which is inserted into and installed on the accommodationbody installation unit and supplies each of the components to thepredetermined component supply position by feeding the components at apitch by a rotation operation of a sprocket, and wherein, in theremaining amount measuring step, the suppliable remaining amount of thecomponent is measured, based on at least one of (i) a remaining numberof the components of the component supply accommodation body, (ii) aposition of a boundary between an area in which the components areaccommodated and an area in which the components are not accommodated inthe component supply accommodation body, and (iii) a remaining length ofthe component supply accommodation body.